GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Drug Discovery Industry Statistics

The drug discovery industry is a key sector in healthcare, with a high rate of investment in research and development to bring new treatments to market.

Highlights: Drug Discovery Industry Statistics

  • The global drug discovery market size was valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2018.
  • The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the drug discovery market is projected to be 8.3% from 2019 to 2026.
  • The biopharmaceuticals segment held more than a third of the global market share in 2018.
  • Oncology is the largest therapeutic area in drug discovery, accounting for over 25% of the global market.
  • Proteomics accounted for about 32% of the drug discovery technologies market in 2018.
  • In 2018, Asia-Pacific region was the fastest-growing drug discovery market.
  • Small molecules held the largest share of the drug discovery market in 2018.
  • The biomarker-based drug discovery segment is projected to witness a CAGR of 9.4% from 2019 to 2025.
  • About 40% of the total pharmaceutical R&D expenditures was used for preclinical and discovery stages in 2018.
  • By 2020, nearly half of the pharmaceutical industry's R&D budget was spent on outsourcing platforms related to drug discovery.
  • By 2021, biologics are expected to represent about 28% of the global pharmaceutical sales.
  • The global market for AI in drug discovery is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40.8% from 2020 to 2027.
  • Only 5 in 5,000 drugs that enter preclinical testing progress to human testing.
  • The probability of approval from Phase I testing to FDA approval is only about 10%.

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In the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare, the drug discovery industry plays a crucial role in developing new and innovative pharmaceutical products to improve patient outcomes. Understanding the latest statistics in this field is essential for stakeholders to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve. In this blog post, we will explore key statistics and trends shaping the drug discovery industry, providing valuable insights into this ever-changing sector.

The Latest Drug Discovery Industry Statistics Explained

The global drug discovery market size was valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2018.

The statistic that the global drug discovery market size was valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2018 indicates the total financial value of the pharmaceutical research and development activities conducted worldwide within that specific year. This metric encompasses the combined investments made by pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders in the discovery of new drugs and therapeutic compounds. It serves as a barometer of the scale and significance of the drug discovery sector, reflecting the substantial resources dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical innovation and addressing public health challenges through the creation of novel medicines and treatments.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the drug discovery market is projected to be 8.3% from 2019 to 2026.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is a measure used to describe the steady growth rate of an investment or market over a specific period of time, taking into account the effect of compounding. In this case, the projected CAGR of 8.3% for the drug discovery market from 2019 to 2026 indicates that the market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8.3% over this 7-year period. This statistic suggests that the drug discovery market is anticipated to experience healthy and sustained growth, reflecting potential opportunities and increasing demand within the industry during this time frame.

The biopharmaceuticals segment held more than a third of the global market share in 2018.

The statistic that the biopharmaceuticals segment held more than a third of the global market share in 2018 indicates that this specific sector within the pharmaceutical industry was a significant player in global markets during that year. Biopharmaceuticals are medications produced using biological sources, such as cells or proteins, rather than chemical synthesis. Holding more than a third of the market share suggests that biopharmaceutical companies were successful in attracting consumers and generating revenue compared to other segments within the industry. This statistic highlights the growing importance and influence of biopharmaceuticals in the healthcare sector and the potential for further growth and innovation within this specific market segment.

Oncology is the largest therapeutic area in drug discovery, accounting for over 25% of the global market.

The statistic indicates that oncology, the branch of medicine focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, is the most prominent therapeutic area within the drug discovery field, representing more than a quarter (25%) of the global market. This suggests that a significant portion of resources, both in terms of research and investment, is dedicated to developing new drugs and treatments for various forms of cancer. The high percentage further highlights the pervasive impact of cancer on global health and the urgent need for innovative therapies to address the complex challenges posed by different types of cancers. The dominance of oncology in drug discovery underscores the importance of continued advancements in this area to improve patient outcomes and quality of life in the fight against cancer.

Proteomics accounted for about 32% of the drug discovery technologies market in 2018.

This statistic indicates that proteomics, a branch of biotechnology that involves the study of the structure and function of proteins, played a significant role in the drug discovery technologies market in 2018 by accounting for approximately 32% of the market share. This suggests that pharmaceutical companies and researchers heavily relied on proteomics technologies and approaches to identify and develop new drugs. Proteomics is essential in understanding disease mechanisms, identifying potential drug targets, and assessing drug efficacy and safety, making it a crucial tool in the drug discovery process. The fact that it represented a sizable portion of the market highlights the importance and impact of proteomics in advancing drug discovery efforts in 2018.

In 2018, Asia-Pacific region was the fastest-growing drug discovery market.

The statistic that the Asia-Pacific region was the fastest-growing drug discovery market in 2018 signifies that this particular region experienced the most significant increase in drug discovery activities compared to other regions worldwide during that year. This growth likely stemmed from a combination of factors such as increased research and development investments, expanding biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, advancements in technology, and favorable regulatory environments. The rapid development of the drug discovery market in the Asia-Pacific region suggests a growing interest and potential for innovation in the pharmaceutical sector within this region relative to others.

Small molecules held the largest share of the drug discovery market in 2018.

The statistic “Small molecules held the largest share of the drug discovery market in 2018” indicates that among the different types of compounds being researched and developed for pharmaceutical purposes in 2018, small molecules comprised the most significant portion in terms of market value or activity. Small molecules are organic compounds with low molecular weight that are often used as the active ingredients in many drugs. This statistic suggests that pharmaceutical companies and researchers were predominantly focusing their efforts on small molecule compounds for drug discovery purposes in 2018, potentially due to factors such as their well-established mechanisms of action, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and proven track record in the development of successful drugs.

The biomarker-based drug discovery segment is projected to witness a CAGR of 9.4% from 2019 to 2025.

The statistic indicates that the biomarker-based drug discovery sector is expected to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.4% over the period from 2019 to 2025. This forecast suggests a steady and significant annual growth in this particular segment of the pharmaceutical industry. The CAGR provides a measure of the average annual growth rate over that specific time frame, illustrating the potential for continued expansion and technological advancements in biomarker-based drug discovery. This statistic implies a positive outlook for the development and application of biomarkers in drug discovery, indicating increasing interest and investment in this area for the coming years.

About 40% of the total pharmaceutical R&D expenditures was used for preclinical and discovery stages in 2018.

The statistic “About 40% of the total pharmaceutical R&D expenditures was used for preclinical and discovery stages in 2018” indicates that a significant portion, specifically 40%, of the resources allocated to research and development within the pharmaceutical industry during 2018 was dedicated to activities related to preclinical testing and drug discovery. This suggests that pharmaceutical companies heavily invested in the early stages of drug development, focusing on researching potential new drugs and testing them in laboratory settings before moving forward to clinical trials. Such a substantial allocation of resources highlights the importance placed on innovation and scientific exploration in seeking new treatments and therapies within the pharmaceutical sector during that year.

By 2020, nearly half of the pharmaceutical industry’s R&D budget was spent on outsourcing platforms related to drug discovery.

The statistic indicates that by 2020, a significant portion of the pharmaceutical industry’s research and development (R&D) budget was allocated towards outsourcing platforms dedicated to drug discovery processes. This implies that pharmaceutical companies increasingly rely on external partners, such as contract research organizations (CROs) and academic institutions, to conduct various stages of the drug discovery pipeline. Outsourcing drug discovery activities can allow companies to access specialized expertise, optimize costs, and accelerate the development timelines for bringing new medications to market. The shift towards outsourcing highlights the evolving landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, where collaboration and innovation are key drivers in advancing drug discovery efforts.

By 2021, biologics are expected to represent about 28% of the global pharmaceutical sales.

The statistic that by 2021, biologics are projected to account for approximately 28% of global pharmaceutical sales indicates the growing significance of biologic drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Biologics are complex drugs derived from living organisms and are used to treat a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes. This statistic suggests that the demand for biologics is increasing due to their efficacy and specificity in targeting specific disease pathways. It also reflects the pharmaceutical industry’s shift towards biotechnology and personalized medicine. The substantial market share of biologics highlights the importance of innovation and investment in the development of advanced therapeutic treatments to address global health challenges.

The global market for AI in drug discovery is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40.8% from 2020 to 2027.

This statistic indicates that the global market for artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery is projected to experience significant growth over the period from 2020 to 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.8%. This suggests a robust and sustained expansion in the adoption and utilization of AI technologies within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for the discovery and development of new drugs. The rapid pace of growth reflects increasing investments in AI-driven solutions to streamline the drug discovery process, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately bring new therapeutic treatments to market more quickly.

Only 5 in 5,000 drugs that enter preclinical testing progress to human testing.

The statistic “Only 5 in 5,000 drugs that enter preclinical testing progress to human testing” indicates a low success rate for drug development. Out of 5,000 drugs that undergo preclinical testing to assess their safety and effectiveness in laboratory and animal studies, only 5 of them typically advance to the next stage of human testing. This suggests that the vast majority of potential drugs fail at the preclinical stage due to various reasons such as lack of efficacy, safety concerns, or other issues. Drug development is a rigorous process, and this statistic underscores the challenges and uncertainties involved in bringing a new drug to market, highlighting the importance of thorough preclinical testing to identify promising candidates for further evaluation in human trials.

The probability of approval from Phase I testing to FDA approval is only about 10%.

This statistic suggests that the likelihood of a drug successfully progressing from Phase I clinical testing to receiving approval from the FDA is low, standing at around 10%. This indicates that a vast majority of drugs that enter early-stage clinical trials do not ultimately receive FDA approval. The low probability highlights the challenges and rigorous standards that drugs must meet to progress through the various stages of clinical testing and regulatory approval. It underscores the importance of thorough research, robust clinical trial designs, and stringent safety and efficacy criteria in the drug development process to increase the chances of successful approval by regulatory authorities like the FDA.

References

0. – https://www.www.bdspublishing.com

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2. – https://www.www.iqvia.com

3. – https://www.www.bio.org

4. – https://www.www.fda.gov

5. – https://www.www.reportsnreports.com

6. – https://www.www.alliedmarketresearch.com

7. – https://www.www.grandviewresearch.com

8. – https://www.www.cnbc.com

9. – https://www.www.emergenresearch.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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